Walt Disney World has been grappling with increasing customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance, prompting the company to reduce admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while tickets to Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This price is significantly lower than the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney has been lowering the cost of its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can find rates as low as $100 a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort, which reflects a potential discount of up to 27% compared to regular prices, according to Bloomberg.
New dining options have also been implemented, providing discounts of 20% to 30% on meals within the parks. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the venues. To enhance affordability, Disney is reportedly offering more quick meal choices, lower-priced children’s meals, and greater flexibility in dining policies.
Experts suggest that rising food costs within the parks have contributed to the dip in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% after Disney transitioned from a menu-based pricing model to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that such actions might not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest experience. He remarked that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over customer satisfaction.